I display a “tiered” system of rankings each round in addition to the numerical rankings themselves to show the groups of songs that are hard to distinguish from each other versus the next tier lower and so forth throughout the total rankings. In the Evolution round, we had to judge two songs collectively. This is a difficult task. “We Belong”, for instance, may have been my highest ranked song of the round, but the “halo effect” was not enough to secure the overall victory for Pat Benatar. Should Pat have won based on the merits of the one song that resonated the most with me? It’s a difficult thing to sort out. The two U2 songs were not the top scoring songs individually, but both were in the “upper tier” for me individually and near enough to the top to earn the overall 1st place ranking. I’ll attempt to show the overall song rankings along with the tiers as I normally do so that justifications for the “group of songs’” rankings might be a little clearer in this particular round than they were for Evolution round.
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Requiem for a Dying Song – Flogging Molly
This is sorta what Mumford and Suns try to do, but fail in comparison to the likes of Flogging Molly. The Celtic roots are so evident and such a staple of the songs while the modern hip edge works in a variety of ways throughout the Flogging Molly songs. Mumford and Sons have proven to be nothing more than a one trick pony in terms of their attacks of their instruments and vocal approaches. Requiem for a Dying Song is undeniably Flogging Molly, but it’s also in no way the exact same song as its preceding and following tracks from the same band. The instrumentation is varied noticeably, yet it’s still in the same vein as the group’s other songs. It’s not duplication and it doesn’t come across as gimmicky. It’s kick-buttery AND an homage to the group’s collective background. “We’re going to kick your butt … but in a variety of Celtic traditional ways.” Mumford and Sons: “We’re going to trick you into thinking we are hip, but we’re really capitalizing on novelty and using the same ol’ song and dance.”
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Rebels of the Sacred Heart – Flogging Molly
How is Mumford and Sons more popular than Flogging Molly again? Listen how noticeably different these two songs are, people! It’s a band that knows its music. It knows how to entertain using multiple dimensions. Plus, that vocal is so true to its genre. Lyrically, that’s a pretty impressive song too that fits RIGHT in with the roots and genre combo. Love the allusions in there too. Dave King knows his material here. Flawless in his delivery of every line. He’s not singing AT an audience; he’s in tune with what his song is supposed to be doing in every note he sings. This is a band that loves their own songs and what they do … and it shows. Also, for those paying attention, this is another example of a candidate for Round 21’s category of “false finishes.” At the 4:13 mark (roughly), the song fades away … but the last burst of adrenaline gets queued up shortly thereafter. It’s basically a “hulking up” moment that would also translate to the next round’s selections.
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Bad Day – Fuel
Used to really love Fuel, but the more I heard of Nickelback, I realized that Fuel may have paved the way for that Canadian atrocity. I have no defense against anyone who claims this song (and others from the band) fall into that generic rock category that became so prevalent in the years *after* the band’s ascent. The only thing I can say is that this wasn’t exactly cliché’ cookie-cutter rock at the time it was produced, and thus … I’ve fallen for it. So, in this case, sue me. Musical sense tells me to hate this band, but my gut and such tells me to like Fuel. I’m a sucker, so there. For what it’s worth, I think there is something tone color-wise in the vocals of this band that supersedes generic, but again, feel free to bash me and tell me I’m wrong. I really can’t argue. This band is the very definition of guilty pleasure for me. I know I should think they’re terrible by the same mental musical neurons that declare Nickelback as despicable as 25-year old milk you decide to drink straight from the carton. I can’t not like this song though. Sorry to those that get ranked below it.
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Sunburn - Fuel
Love the song choices you made for this band. Song candidates that a little less likely than some of their other tracks. I love this song. I also like that this makes me feel better about the vocal timbre note I made before this. In perhaps no other song of theirs than this can you get the “Nirvana/Alice in Chains/etc.” vibe of the vocals that connects it CLEARLY to the 90s alt scene while bridging the gap to the hard rock scene. It’s a perfect blend of that grunge era (Fuel is not a grunge band) with just straight up hard rock.This is the perfect pick for making me feel way less guilty about loving Fuel, because while the lyrics seem to be generic rock bait at times, the overall package doesn’t really go there here. (Am I really just a mark and avoiding admitting this is generic too? Gosh, I really hope not. I really do feel this is a far cry from Creed and Nickelback “pre-packaged/manufactured” garbage rock.) Well done!
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Anything For You – Gloria Estefan
Yes! Totally a welcome addition to the round. I think way too many people in the modern era don’t know the greatness of Gloria Estefan. UNMISTAKABLE voice. I love that uniqueness and identity. I could hear 1,000 singers (and make them all part of this same genre) and there’s no doubt which voice would belong to Estefan. The only downside here is that this is a bit cheesy and overdone in terms of lyrics. Not always one of her strong suits. But seriously, she is bailed out every time by the fact that hear vocals are simply there to be adored and loved. It sounds typical to say this, but here’s an artist that could make reading numbers out of the phone book a Top 10 hit with me.
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Conga – Gloria Estefan
Love it! Love that you went with a more subdued piece first and followed it with one of her adrenaline rush songs. I dare any washed up karaoke reality singing show contestant to attempt to pull this off with the precision of Gloria right here. Actually, no I don’t. Just don’t attempt it. I’ve seen it multiple times and everyone fails in comparison. This is one of those “untouchable songs.” You simply can’t do what she does with this song.
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My Michelle – Guns N Roses
Yes! Rock! Only setback is that we’ve had picks that resonated with me a bit more than this one here. Pure adrenaline (and the good kind of adrenaline) for sure. There just have to be winners, and I’ve got some that have outweighed it a bit more in this round. Kudos on picking a song less likely from the group. I certainly like this way more than some of the overplayed pool hall/strip club song of theirs.
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Rocket Queen – Guns N Roses
Hooray for the 2:20ish mark. Another undeniably GNR type of song. I love that. As is the problem with *some* GNR songs, the lyrics of this particular song seem to be nothing more than a bridge to what the band really wants to be doing: rocking out! They do have some lyrical prowess on other songs, but man, this song undeniably lacks in that department, and while I want to get swept up in Axl’s awesome vocal delivery, I can’t back away from what he’s actually singing. It makes it a little disingenuous and hard to believe. I really like this track, but the setbacks are setbacks.
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Classy Girls – The Lumineers
Speaking of “hating Mumford and Sons” (earlier), welcome to the stage THE LUMINEERS. Take note, folk rockers in the U.S. This is how you do it. A great bridging of the gap from roots-based musicianship to modern day emphasis. I LOVE THIS! It doesn’t throw everything in your face (I’m looking at you again, Mumford) and knows how to properly construct everything to fit the overall goal of the song. No sir; no unnecessary noise here. It’s musicianship and layering and a full understanding of the genre. Thank you for this gem!
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Dead Sea – The Lumineers
Lyrics! Vocals matching lyrics! Thanks for being a band that understands your own song! That factor cannot be overlooked. There are a lot more Lumineers songs with musical/instrumental flair than this, and it’s the only factor that might allow some to slip past it. The pick is much appreciated, but I feel like I need to provide a little rationale for where it might slip to in the rankings.
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Crumble – Sage Francis
I love almost EVERYTHING about this. Delivery: AWESOME! Music: AWESOME! Almost everything, that is. The slave labor metaphor may have fallen a little short though. My major conflict with modern hip hop/rap is how cliché’ it can be. What I mean goes back to what I’ve said before in this exact same game: it’s like these folks have to incorporate something controversial or preachy in order to feel relevant. I know that’s not what the song is about, but my gosh—talk about taking yourself too seriously. It just deflates the intensity to have to resort to a “I know about blood diamond industry; see? watch this! I totally just referenced it; feel my heartache now?” gimmick to pull off what is a good idea for a song on all its other merits. You don’t have to put yourself over in order to get over. Let the merits of your song do that, rappers.
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The Best of Times – Sage Francis
Ugh. Say things that are generically true about modern dead end culture. Come across as preachy. Rinse. Repeat. Ugh. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and T.S. Eliot you ain’t. Let me not be entirely negative and at least say that Sage Francis has such potential and has a gift for delivery. Gosh, it’s an act I want to be so so good. I will say that much.
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Well Thought Out Twinkles – Silversun Pickups
BOOM! EXPLOSION on the mark-o-meter! I really hope this is a band you mark your butt off for. I think I’ve referenced this band no more than twice on the forums as my favorite modern band. I really feel guilty and hope that this isn’t a play toward a particular judge. If it is, then screw it anyway because This Is My Band Right Here! Great track on a great album! I think this is secretly one of the band’s favorite songs too. They seem to play it an awful lot even though it’s from their first album. Gosh, no matter how many times I hear them, there are certain songs that just flat out ROCK and RULE every single time! Had I not dropped two references to them previously, this would be Widow’s Peak Bjork and Z-A Mary Chapin Carpenter levels of mark-out for me. (By the way, kudos to the contestant who picked “There’s No Secrets This Year” in Round ONE of a previous season. You talk about marking out! Sorry for the lame , unconstructive comments, but that’s what happens when this judge marks. I’ve played the crap out of this band. I know how good they are. Winner winner, chicken dinner!
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Panic Switch – Silversun Pickups
BLARGHWARGHLRWARRRRAWAGHHHHHAWA!!!!! FREAKING YES! I love this expletive expletive expletive song!!! Along with “The Royal We” (I already picked it) I think it’s one of the “perfect songs” this band has produced. (GEEZ—Royal We is so perfect!) I am unable to stop myself from playing air guitar to this song any time it plays. That little high-pitched bridge to chorus is always delicately strummed in the car. No words right now. Just deep breaths in an attempt to restore order. No wait, I have to first scream my lungs out along with the lyrics at the 4:30 mark (you think I’m kidding). What a freaking great band! (By the way, our female bass player is cooler than yours. –Sincerely, Silversun Pickups)
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Giving Up On Love - Slow Club
What is this and how do I not know it?! I’m serious. This is right down my wheelhouse, and I’ve not heard this song? (Don’t judge me.) Very cool! A first time listen and it’s winning over the likes of songs I would put on repeat in my vehicle? Well freaking done. A true player right here. I love the balance. I love the carefree feel of the music and vocals. I love the dynamics. I love the falsettos. I love the structure of how the lyrics play out. Very very cool. I have a “new song” to love.
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Beginners – Slow Club
Definitely know this one. It just looks like this is an album that’s going to have to get a full listen from me after hearing the previous track. What a risk here to choose Slow Club, but it’s paying off in a big way to me. See, this is precisely why I’m in such favor of not having “dead rounds” in this game. It’s essentially a wasted band choice because it’s not going to win over our other judges and get first, so something like this that could save your rear end in the next round (which is way way harder to escape elimination on its own categorization) and instead will be a forgotten place-holder in a round where winner takes all. It has happened more than once, but I would really like to see contestants who might end up away from the bottom with songs like this and the previous Slow Club pick get rewarded for taking chances AND winning over a good portion of judges. It also takes the air of this particular judge to go through the effort of listening and commenting and praising contestants like this, only to find that my mark-out moment is nullified by a goose egg’s amount of worth in the overall scheme of the game. Translation: I don’t want you to get lost in the shuffle for picks like this, contestant. I love this! Well done, and I thank you, even though it may not get first overall in the round and earn you anything at all.
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Venus – Television
Absolutely terrible band name. Truly ahead of their time in terms of picking something horrible and hipster-like in an attempt to sound ironic. Song wise though? Awwwwesome. Great throwback track here. A track where I just stop everything and give undivided attention. This is a great representative track of the type of song that begs the quote “They don’t/can’t/won’t make ‘em like this anymore!” As simple as that guitar line is, it’s hecka hecka effective and addictive.
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Foxhole – Television
Not a preferred track from the band. They do subscribe to the “keep it simple, stupid” mentality of rock, which I really do love, but in this case, it’s a backfire for them. I just need more, and this song has always felt like a song I just pass over. Do not misread me here; love love love the musical song selecting prowess you’re showing with Television here. I love that, seriously! I just look at the tracks and re-listen to everything to make sure I’m right, and it’s just a tad lightweight going up against some really primo tracks for the round. Nothing more than that. Thanks for going outside the box with this selection!
Individual Songs:
1. Panic Switch
2. Well Thought Out Twinkles
3. Conga
4. Giving Up on Love
5. Sunburn
6. Rebels of the Sacred Heart
7. Requiem for a Dying Song
8. Classy Girls
9. Beginners
10. Bad Day
11. Anything For You
12. My Michelle
13. Venus
14. Crumble
15. Foxhole
16. Dead Sea
17. Rocket Queen
18. The Best of Times
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1. Silversun Pickups
2. Fuel
3. Gloria Estefan
4. Slow Club
5. Flogging Molly
6. The Lumineers
7. Television
8. Guns N Roses
9. Sage Francis